Happy
30th Birthday to Erin Webber!
Pittsfield Parks-Rec
Basketball Sign-Ups
Grades
K-6th
Sign-ups
will be Nov. 4 & 5 at the Community Center, 8 AM-12 noon.
Any
questions, contact Darrell Wages at 603-812-6741.
Grace
Submitted By Mike Mavity, Pastor, Joy Church
I’ve
been spending a lot of time reading through and speaking on Jesus’
Sermon on the Mount. The Sermon on the Mount is probably the most
well known sermon ever preached. Jesus took the opportunity to share
his views of God’s Kingdom during this sermon. He told us things
like, “blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of
God” and “blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven.” He also lays down some heavy stuff regarding how we
conduct our lives. He told us to watch our anger because it’s as
dangerous as murder. He taught us about lust and adultery and
divorce. He even told us to love our enemies!
As I’ve
read over the Sermon on the Mount, I’ve felt pangs of conviction in
my heart. His teachings about love, peacemaking, anger, lust, and
divorce really hit home for me. I sometimes wish I could just skip
over these things and get to the good parts about how much God loves
me. The truth is, though, that I’ve discovered how much God loves me
through these difficult words from Jesus. I don’t measure up to
these words. I fail, at one time or another, at almost all of them.
However, I can see God’s great love for me through them because His
amazing grace is demonstrated by the fact that while I was still a
sinner, Christ died for me. God sees my shortcomings and how I fail
in the very way Jesus tells me to live, and He loves me enough to
send Jesus here to be my reconciliation to Him. That’s amazing
grace! And, through that grace He also gives me the opportunity to
live unashamed in front of Him. Scripture tells us that we are the
righteousness of God through Jesus. This means that God looks at me
and sees righteousness and not all the unrighteous junk that litters
my past. So, He looks at me and sees righteousness because of His
own grace toward me. Like I said before, that’s amazing grace!
Pittsfield Senior Center News Eating For The Seasons
On
Tuesday, October 31, at 10:30 AM Judy Cook is coming back to The
Pittsfield Senior Center.
As a
Certified Health Coach and Occupational Therapist, she will expand
and enhance your knowledge on how to make simple/easy changes for
you to feel better, have more energy, and decrease joint discomfort.
The Program is “Eating for the Seasons.”
Chinese
Medicine believes the world is a harmonious and holistic entity,
where we as human beings are viewed in relation to the surrounding
environment. We take our cue from nature. We are influenced directly
and indirectly by the change of seasons. So how can we support our
body through the change of seasons to maximize our health and
wellbeing? This presentation will help you answer these questions.
The session is open to all in the community because no matter what
age you are there can always be improvement in our health.
Pittsfield Masons Celebrate 150th Anniversary
Submitted By Larry Berkson
[Writers’ Note: The Masons celebrated their 150th Anniversary on
Saturday evening, October 14. The following article was developed
from remarks presented at the occasion]
Corinthian Lodge #82, Free and Accepted Masons-Pittsfield, was
founded on July 30, 1867. Its first Worthshipful Master was
Henry H. Huse, later a prominent attorney in Manchester, Speaker of
the House of Representatives, and State Insurance Commissioner. A
patriotic, benevolent organization, it is dedicated to a unifying
understanding of God and the betterment of humanity, providing
relief to the needy and helpless in the community, with members
bound together by high moral standards.
Location of its Lodges
The
first meetings of the Lodge were held in the Thorndike Block which
stood where the Union Block on Main Street is now located. In
1870 the building was thoroughly renovated and a Mansard roof placed
on top of it. Hiram A. Tuttle, businessman extraordinaire and future
New Hampshire Governor, fitted up lodge rooms for the organization.
The main hall was illuminated by two large, elegant chandeliers with
four burners in each. New carpeting was installed in nearly
all of the rooms.
Unfortunately, those quarters were destroyed in the Valentine’s Day
fire of 1876. The Lodge lost its charter, jewels, and
furniture. Fortunately, the seal and records were in the secretary’s
home and were not destroyed. The Masons then moved into the GAR
Building on Depot Street, which was on the site presently occupied
by the Pittsfield Players.
The
organization purchased a new solid silver set of jewels and working
tools. A Bible was donated by the wives of Masons. Other
items were purchased in the amount of $269, equivalent in today’s
money to $4,755.
During
the summer of 1881 interested Lodge members formed a Masonic Hall
Association and incorporated under the laws of the State of New
Hampshire. The Association obtained a lease from the town for
the attic in the Old Meetinghouse for a term of 50 years on
condition that it keep the roof in good repair, pay a rent of $1.00
per year, make no unlawful or offensive use of the quarters, collect
no waste on the premises, maintain the rooms in good condition, and
not assign the lease without written permission.
The
Association immediately got to work remaking a third floor by
tearing off the old roof and replacing it with a Mansard roof. It
also built a tower with stairs on the west side of the building
leading to the upper floor. The third floor was divided into a 16′ x
40′ banquet hall which opened into the lodge room by two large
folding doors, a 20′ x 16′ kitchen which opened directly into the
banquet hall, and a 21′ x 10′ reception room which opened directly
into the kitchen, a 5′ x 5′ Tyler’s room used by a member to prepare
the lodge room and guard the door, and a 6′ x 10′ preparation room.
A
furnishings committee did an excellent job of outfitting the lodge.
The walls were a bluish tint, all the rooms were carpeted, the
officer’s chairs were of black walnut, upholstered with maroon
colored wool, and the hall was surrounded by black walnut settees
similarly upholstered. The alter, pedestals, treasurers and
secretaries tables were also of black walnut. The pedestals and
alter, made by undertaker Lewis Bunker, were topped with marble
slabs.
Eight
light chandeliers illuminated the rooms covered with Masonic
emblemed globes. On the desks were two beautiful lamps presented to
the Lodge by George A. Sanborn of Boston. His connection to
Pittsfield has not been learned. These new modern quarters were
dedicated on December 29, 1881.
However, the new facility lacked some of the conveniences we take
for granted today. Water and gas lights were not installed until
1892, a water closet not until 1907, and electric lights
not until 1911.
The
Masons continued meeting in their comfortable rooms until 1949. That
year Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Dustin gave the organization the former
Pittsfield Academy on Park Street. The new lodge was dedicated
on Friday, January 21 with Master George R. Cotton, in charge of
ceremonies. Three hundred people attended. Mr. Dustin was presented
with gold cuff links with Masonic emblems and Mrs. Dustin was
honored with a dozen red roses and an orchid.
The
Masons have remained at that location ever since.
Its
Benevolent Activities
From
the very beginning the organization undertook benevolent activities
for its own members. Between 1872 and 1915, it paid for the burial
of 15 Brothers. In 1887 it gave $31.00 to assist a Brother
with Typhoid Fever. Later that year it established a Relief
Committee to assist needy members which was authorized to spend up
to $25.00 in emergency cases. Other examples abound. A notable one
was in 1931 when a destitute Brother in California needed help.
Twenty-five dollars was sent to him and when he passed away the
Masons paid for a grave marker.
The
Masons also took care of needy widows. One of the more substantial
was support for the Ralph Brewster Family after he had been murdered
in Massachusetts. Beginning in 1928, the organization gave $150 each
year for several years. During the 1930s the Masons arranged for
Annie B. Lane and Annie L. Fitts to reside in the Masonic Home in
Manchester. Each year for several years it sent a $5.00
Christmas gift to both. More recently in 1990 the Masons sent
money to assist the daughter of a Brother who had a drug problem.
The
Masons assisted other organizations as well. For example, in 1888 it
allowed the Women’s Temperance Christian Union to use the hall and
kitchen free of charge, in 1901 the Old Home Week Committee,
in 1904 the Knights of Pythias and Grange after their quarters in
the Batchelder Block were destroyed by fire, and in 1905 when an
Order of Eastern Star was formed. In 1950, during the Cold
War, it was made available to the Civil Defense organization.
Many
other worthy causes were supported by the early Masons. In 1889, for
example, they gave money to the Masonic Orphans Home, and in
1906 to Brothers suffering the effects of the San Francisco earth
quake. In 1913 they supported Brothers in Ohio who were
suffering from the great flood of that year, and in 1928 they gave
money to support victims of a hurricane in Puerto Rico.
Beginning in 1987 they supported the Children’s Alcohol Abuse
Program.
In
recent years the organization has donated to the Shriners, the DARE
Program, and the Masonic Home in Manchester through its Grand Lodge.
It also holds a Toy Drive at Christmas for the less fortunate, gives
Christmas trees to those who cannot afford them, and provides
quarters for Pittsfield Youth Workshop.
Its
Members
From
the very beginning the Corinthian Lodge was comprised of some of the
most prominent members of the Pittsfield community. Naturally,
the largest number was from Pittsfield, nearly 350. Next was
Barnstead with nearly 150. Epsom, Chichester, Loudon, and Gilmanton
also provided substantial numbers. About 25 towns provided five or
fewer members.
The
ages of members at the time of joining has varied widely. Several
have joined at the age of 21. The oldest was 77. Most, however, join
in their 20s and 30s.
The
organization’s members have come from all walks of life. The largest
numbers were workers in the shoe industry, which dominated the life
of Pittsfield for a century, and merchants, with nearly 50 members
from each group. Many have been farmers, clerks, students, salesmen,
and carpenters. There have been at least nine doctors, seven
bankers, seven dentists, seven electricians, and six attorneys, as
well as numerous others with different occupations.
Several
members have had reputations extending far beyond the local borders
of Pittsfield. Among the most illustrious have been:
Eralsey
C. Ferguson, a farmer, manufacturer, selectman, school board member,
legislator and president of the state senate.
George
E. Freese, Jr. an industrialist, president of Globe, member of the
state House of Representatives, and vice president of the State
Senate.
John
Cate French, President of the New Hampshire Fire Insurance Company
and trustee of banks, hospitals and libraries.
Charles
H. Lane, a contractor who not only built the Opera House Block, Elm
Block, and present Town Hall, but all the railroad depots above
Plymouth on the Pemigewasset River.
Moses
Norris, Jr., an attorney, county solicitor, state legislator, member
of the Governor’s Council, Speaker of the State House of
Representatives and a U. S. Senator.
Dr.
Richard P. J. Tenney, a member of the Governor’s Council, president
of Pittsfield Academy, and president of the New Hampshire Medical
Society.
Harrison R. Thyng, a Brigadier General, World War II and Korea
flying ace, and Republican candidate for the U. S. Senate.
Hiram
A. Tuttle, a businessman extraordinaire, state legislator, member of
the Governor’s Council, and Governor of New Hampshire.
Of the
dozen or so fraternal societies that have been formed in Pittsfield,
the Free and Accepted Masons is the only one still in existence
today.
Inside Once Upon A Mattress –
Sir
Harry and Lady Larkin
The
Pittsfield Players are gearing up for another great fall musical,
and they’re turning the Scenic Theatre stage into a magical castle
in preparation for the hilarious musical comedy Once Upon A
Mattress. Two of the characters in the show are Sir Harry and Lady
Larkin, who are madly in love… well, at least Lady Larkin feels that
way… and facing an upcoming dilemma together. Bringing these two
characters to life on the stage are Kevin Kennedy and Adrianna
Williams.
Kevin
Kennedy is creating the role of Sir Harry, a dashing knight who
takes on a brave mission to find a princess for Prince Dauntless to
marry. Kevin studied theater many years ago, and then discovered
that he liked to eat more than he liked performing on the stage.
Just before leaving the stage to study Accounting, Kevin played the
role of the “Barber” in Man of La Mancha, and then finally, he
returned to the Scenic stage in 2011, once again appearing in Man of
La Mancha, this time playing the role of Dr. Caracas. Since then,
Kevin has performed regularly with the Players, playing the roles of
Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Lt. Cable in South Pacific and
most recently Curly in Oklahoma!. Kevin’s day job is as a Certified
Public Accountant and Certified Fraud Examiner at his own firm -
Maloney and Kennedy, but he thoroughly enjoys the change of pace and
the ability to exercise his artistic side performing with the
Players. Kevin can also be heard on Sundays singing in the choir at
the Pittsfield Congregational Church.
Adrianna Williams is making her debut with the Pittsfield Players as
Lady Larkin, a damsel in some distress. A recent graduate of Noble
High School, Adrianna lives in Lebanon, Maine, and makes the commute
to Pittsfield for rehearsals three times a week because she has
always loved the show Once Upon A Mattress and wanted the
opportunity to perform with the Players. She started acting in
2015 in Shrek, The Musical with Noble High School, and then went on
to appear with the Sanford Main Stage in the role of
Belle/Victoria/Henrietta in A Christmas Carol, and Darlene in You
Know The Old Slaying. She also recently worked on costumes and set
with Noble High School’s All Shook Up. She will be attending the
University of New Hampshire majoring in pre-dental and minoring in
musical theatre. Adrianna is just one of the talented newcomers to
the Players that are appearing in Once Upon A Mattress.
Once
Upon A Mattress will run at The Scenic Theatre Friday, Saturday and
Sunday, November 10, 11 and 12, and again the following Friday and
Saturday, November 17 and 18. All shows are at 7:30 pm, except the
Sunday matinee which is at 2 pm. All tickets are $17 and are on sale
right now. You can purchase tickets by visiting the Players’
website,
www.pittsfieldplayers.com, and clicking on the TicketLeap
button, or you can reserve seats by calling 435-8852 and leaving
your name, phone number and the date you want to come to see the
show and we’ll call you back to confirm your reservation. Please
remember to spell your name when leaving your message. We’ll have
your tickets waiting for you at the door the night of the show, and
remember that we accept cash and checks only at the box office. Get
your tickets now for this absolutely hilarious musical!
Friends
Of The Josiah Carpenter Library Taking Poinsettia Preorders
The
Friends of the Josiah Carpenter Library annual holiday poinsettia
sale offers red, white or marble poinsettia plants for gift giving
or display purposes. Plants may be preordered using the form found
on the library web site or by coming into the library.
Payment
must accompany the completed order form.
The
plants, grown by Ledgeview Greenhouses in Loudon, NH, may be
preordered through Wednesday, November 3, 2017. The plants
will be available for pick up at the Josiah Carpenter Library, 41
Main St., beginning at 2:30 pm on December 6, 2017.
Plants
are available in three colors and in four different sizes; 6.5 inch
pots with 1 plant for $10.00, 7.5 inch pots with 2 plants for
$16.75, 8.5 inch pot with 3 plants for $20.00 and 10 inch pot with 4
plants for $25.00. All proceeds will be used by the Friends group to
benefit the Josiah Carpenter Library.
For
further information, please call the library at 435-8406.
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